“End of archival recording,” said the voice of Vileera. The scene around the regal form of Twilight disappeared as she watched the visage of the younger forms of herself and Starlight fade away into lose photons before they too vanished, replaced by a room with a grid pattern design.
“I feel the need to ask, why did you want to rewatch this event from over two hundred years ago?”
Twilight remained silent for a few seconds before answering. “It is a reminder. A reminder of how quickly everything can change. A reminder of how far we’ve gone to be here now. Something to fall back to when I give my speech for the pre-launch ceremony today.”
Turning to the door, Twilight opens it, revealing one of the many interior hallways of Twilight’s Castle of Friendship. Back in the day, it would be devoid of anypony, but these days, it was bustling with everycreature. Everyone coming to and fro from their posts, making way for the princess as she walked down the now technologically upgraded halls.
Vileera’s hologram materialized next to Twilight as she walked with her. “I am pleased to tell you that the new AI will soon be ready to take over my position in the castle, though it will still need to get used to the network and installations but it will learn the more time it spends.”
“Good to hear everything is on schedule. Timing is going to be crucial within the next couple days,” Twilight said with a content smile. Her walk eventually lead to one of the balconies in the back of the castle. “Now keep things in order for me while I’m away today. With everything on schedule, we’ll have that AI take your position tomorrow, leaving you free to come with me.”
“I’ll keep things in order from here,” Vileera called out as Twilight flapped her wings and took off. After watching her fly off for a few more seconds, she went back to helping with preparations.
With Vileera taking care of things, Twilight could enjoy some time in her thoughts as she flew over the buildings of the expanded Ponyville. Much of them are taller and made of sturdier materials than before. The exceptions were some of the iconic buildings like the Town Hall, Sugarcube Corner, and the Schoolhouse, preserved as tourist attractions. Overall, it was starting to take on the look of a small city.
Then there it was, the place of her destination, the Stellar Academy of Ponyville, one of several major establishments around Equestria. The sight of it made her smile. She made a proposal of setting them up over two decades ago and here is the first one built, brimming with activity.
After she circled around a bit, she spotted the pony she was looking for. Coming in for a landing, her approach landed her right next to a mare with a pink lavender coat and a purple and teal mane and tail, Princess Starlight.
“Hey Starlight!”
“Oh, Twilight! You all ready for today’s pre-ceremony?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t want to miss this day for anything!
“Good, because everyone is starting to gather now. I wish I could chat with you now but I need to attend some pressing matters real quick. See you in about an hour!” Starlight finished before trotting off and waving.
Twilight waved back, “See you soon!” Then turning towards the main academy building, she headed on in through the double doors.
========================
The courtyard was packed full of everycreature. You got your ponies here, changelings there, gryphons and hippogryphs, minotaurs, kirins and a few others. Twilight could see them all. The recruits and veterans in their uniforms all filling the seats on the right, the civilians filling the left, and the news reporters and photographers in the front and the very edges of the crowd.
Twilight watched from the side of the stage as she waited for her queue. She listened to what Captain Night Star had to say.
“I look forward to seeing all of you whom have trained under me for when we launch tomorrow. All of you know the risks we will be undertaking but that didn’t stop our curiosity from growing. You all may have signed up for different reasons but all of us have a common goal when we signed up. We are here to not only explore and make new friends, but to bring serenity to where it is needed.”
There was a second long pause before he continued. “Now as for the reason why we are all gathered here,” this was her queue, “I will pass that over to Princess Twilight.”
Twilight stood up and headed over to the podium, walking by Night Star as he went off stage. Standing behind the microphone-filled podium, she gave the waiting crowd a warm smile. Glad that she went light on the attire as today was supposed to be hotter than usual, opting for just the gold shoes, necklace, and tiara. All the cameras focused on her, not wanting to miss a single moment. The crowd waiting long enough, she spoke in a gentle but confident voice.
“Today is a special day. A day that represents how far we’ve come in such a short time. As a result, today will be the end of another chapter in our society because today will be the last day we stay in our star system. Tomorrow will be the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. A tomorrow that marks the day that we first set out to the stars beyond our own, beyond the safety of the nebula that protects us from harm the outside presents. The risks seem too much, but there are echoes from beyond. Echoes of lives out there, begging for help. In a universe where no help arrives, we will be the help they need.”
The crowd murmured for a couple seconds before she continued.
“The reason why we are here now is because we were entrusted with this duty. The last of her kind, Zena, saw something in us. She saw something about us that would have made her people proud of us for. It is because of this that with her last few breaths she gave us access to everything her people ever knew. Without her and her personal AI, Vileera, to assist us, we would most likely not have gone beyond the Industrial Era at this point. Therefore, we at least owe it to her and her people to try and help those that are in need from across the stars themselves.”
“Now, I know a lot of you are getting impatient. You all want to hear about the two new ships of a new class our engineers have worked on. More importantly, the name of one of the two ships that is launching tomorrow.”
Everyone waited in anticipation, catching on to every world Twilight says.
“The name of the ship that launches tomorrow is the ESS Harmony.”
She lets that sink in.
“The reason this name was chosen is because it represents what we are. Looking back to our past, our races were once divided, acting independently and even hostile to each other. But we came together and we coexist in harmony. The starship Harmony will be the first of many ships not unstaffed capable of leaving our system safely and set out to the stars to show everyone that even in darkness, Harmony can still exist.”
After a brief pause, she looked to the side of the crowd wearing uniforms, “I look forward to seeing Captain Night Star and the rest of the crew of the ESS Harmony tomorrow on launch day as I will be onboard during their journey.”
Twilight smiled back to the rest of the crowd, “tomorrow, we plant the Seeds of Harmony.”
========================
Next morning…
“Is she ready?” Twilight asked in the computer mainframe room of the castle.
“Yes, she’s optimal for transfer.” Vileera assured her.
“Alright, begin the transfer.”
“Initiating transfer to mainframe...
Transfer complete…
Synchronization in progress…
Synchronization complete…
She’ll be online in 3, 2, 1…”
A magenta colored hologram of a pegasus appeared on the console. It opened its eyes and looked around. Then its gaze set on Twilight.
“Systems operational,” it reported in a mare’s voice, “Good morning Princess Twilight.”
“Please Dream Shift, just Twilight is fine.”
“As you wish, Twilight,” Dream Shift responded.
Twilight turned to Vileera, “Can you confirm that her systems are optimal?”
“She’s running at peak efficiency.”
“Good. Dream Shift, castle’s yours until we get back.”
“I’ll keep things in order until then,” Dream Shift responded as Twilight and Vileera left the room.
Back in the great crystalline hallways of the castle, busier than ever, Twilight and Vileera walked side by side to their next destination.
“The shuttle is currently outside waiting for us. And no, no last minute calls or arrangements that need to be made Twilight.’
That got a chuckle out of her. “I see you’ve picked up on my habits all those years being with me.”
“Should have done so sooner, would have saved us a few more seconds.”
“That is true as I never like being late for anything. Speaking of not being late, we’re here.”
The two walked out of the main back entrance of her castle into a large courtyard. Off to the side, a shuttle waited in the designated landing zone with a few escorts hovering in the area. Vileera transferred her data into the shuttle as Twilight stepped in. After giving the pilot the go ahead, Twilight looked out the window as the door hissed to a close and the shuttle took off.
As they got higher, Twilight could see the whole courtyard, she could see the sculptures made to honor the Element Bearers that she got to call her friends. Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty. Pinkie Pie, Element of Laughter. Rarity, Element of Generosity. Applejack, Element of Honesty. Flutteryshy, Element of Kindness. Ever since their passing, no one else was chosen to be the next Element Bearers. All of them formed a circle around the sixth statue in the center, Twilight herself, Element of Magic, and Spike, her number one assistant back in the day.
Soon, the view of the courtyard was barely visible, only the view of Ponyville and the Everfree. Over the years, Ponyville expanded along the edges of the Everfree Forest, starting to take on the form of a crescent moon. The main reason why the Everfree wasn’t simply clear cut was to preserve the endemic species living there. Such places are unique, finding species that are only found in one area and nowhere else. An exception to the preservation was the path leading from Ponyville to the Castle of the Two Sisters and the Tree of Harmony.
Before she could continue her train of thought, the pilot called out, “ETA three minutes to our destination.” She looked towards the front through the cockpit, able to make out that they are leaving the upper atmosphere into the vacuum. Further above the planet, Equs, she could see a large structure in high orbit. Said object is their main shipyard, bustling with many small shuttles and auxiliary ships. Normally, few small military crafts patrolled the area, but today will have several more.
Upon closer inspection in one of the larger docks, Twilight was able to make out the dock she was looking for. From the nose the light purple hull extends towards the long narrow neck of the ship. Horizontally cutting through the neck is a saucer section that slowly rotates separately from the main framework. Beyond that, the neck widens in a gentle crescent towards the main body. Where the body is at its widest, it merges with a ring on its port and starboard sides that encompasses the entire width. The inside sections of the ring gives off a bright blue glow.
As they made their way around back, the hull gently rounds out, creating a single smooth curve from one side to the other. Atop the main hull near the back, their shuttle approached a pair of hangar bay doors. The doors opened to the sides as the shuttle grew close, revealing the atmospheric membrane field protecting the hangar from rapid decompression.
Upon landing on the designated landing pad, the hangar doors behind closed before the landing pad lowered down to the floor below. When the pad came to a stop, Twilight stood up from her seat and pressed the door switch with her hoof. The shuttle’s door slowly opened, revealing Captain Night Star with a powder blue coat, mint colored eyes, mane a medium blue, teal, and a hint of black from left to right and tail from top to bottom.
“Welcome aboard Princess.”
“Thank you, Captain. Though I have stated several times, just Twilight is fine, but I have the feeling you won’t do that.”
Night Star chuckled, “you know me well enough.” Taking a crystal disk out of one of his pockets, “we should get Vileera set up right away.”
Floating the disk over, Twilight took it in her magic and inserted it into one of the shuttle’s slots. After a few moments, Vileera was transferred and Twilight removed the disk. Then Night Star led them into an elevator. Once inside, Twilight could see they were on Deck 1, labeled as “Hangar Bay.” Night Star pressed for Deck 4, “Central Deck.” Twilight remembered from the last time she saw the schematics that the Central Deck contained the Bridge, Medical Bay, Mess Hall, and the Holodecks.
In about a minute, the elevator stopped on Deck 4 and the doors opened. Walking out, Night Star led Twilight through the hallway. Throughout the way, Twilight observed the meshwork of purple crystals and blue alloys within the walls. Magitech in just about every corner one looks, serving a purpose aboard the ship. Even the most simple things such as the lights, door switches, and the display panels represents the epitome of the architecture their people has to offer.
Soon enough, they walk through a pair of blast doors before Night Star announced, “Welcome to the bridge.”
Upon entering, Twilight could make out some of the main parts in the bridge. On her right, there was the Security Station against the wall and the Weapons Station a little ways in ahead. In front of her was the Captain’s Chair and the Holotable in the center of the bridge. At the front of the bridge was the Helm on the right and Ops on the left just before the Main Viewscreen. Then to her left she was able to make out the Auxiliary Stations.
Lining the walls with the Main Viewscreen were other screens linked to outside cameras and sensors to act as the eyes and ears of the ship, giving everyone a 360 degree view.
Night Star led Twilight to the Holotable and pointed to a slot on it. “Here’s where you’ll insert the disk.”
Twilight inserted the disk containing Vileera. The Holotable lit up with a holographic display of Vileera’s files being transfered. Once completed, Vileera’s hologram appeared on the table.
“Everything appears to be optimal. I will do a systems check on everything before ship launch, Captain Night Star.”
“Thank you Vileera. Princess, we have some time before ship launch. Would you like me to show you to your quarters?”
“Actually, there is someplace I would check on first,” Twilight stated.
========================
Twilight stared at a light-blue orb, softly glowing softly in its chamber.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Twilight asked Night Star.
“Indeed it it. To think that it came from the Tree of Harmony itself is quite amazing.”
Twilight’s smile grew. “And not only did it give use two bigger seeds around the time we started construction on our two new ships, but a month before completion, it has been producing seeds at a large rate. It is like the Tree is encouraging us to make the necessary steps.”
“Well, I wouldn’t put it past it. After all, the Tree brought all the nations of our world together,” he proudly said, looking at the path on his left shoulder with the shape of the Tree of Harmony on it, “and I wouldn’t doubt that it wants us to spread that harmony to the stars.”
“All of this wouldn’t be possible without the gift brought to us by one no longer with us.” She stated before turning around to look at the finished product of the bigger ZPS Core.
Night Star followed her gaze. “That is very true, to think that what was once a dream is now a reality.”
The two stood there in silence for a brief moment before Twilight spoke. “I should finish unpacking my things in my room before actual launch. I believe you have things to attend to as well?”
“Yes Princess, I do.”
Twilight looked at him. “There you go again, calling me ‘Princess’ regardless of what I say,” she chuckled, “I’ll be back on the bridge before ship launch.” With that, she walked out of the designated Core Room.
========================
“Launch in T-minus 2 minutes,” announced the ship’s automated computer.
Twilight sat in her designated chair watching everyone on the bridge doing their last checks and standing by. The blast doors to the bridge opened and Night Star entered.
“How is it looking Vileera?” was the first thing he asked.
Vileera’s hologram appears on the holotable. “All systems look good Captain.” She paused before saying, “receiving transmission from Princess Celestia.”
“On screen.”
Princess Celestia appeared on the screen with a vain smile on her face.
“Captain Night Star.”
“Princess Celestia.”
“Are you and your crew ready?” Celestia asked.
“About as ready as we’ll ever be. Was there something you need?”
“Yes,” she started, “Twilight?”
“Yes Celestia?” Twilight asked as she stood up and walked towards the viewscreen.
“Good, now that you are both here, as you may know, the leaders of the world are looking to our first interstellar ship. Some are curious, some excited, while others are worried. However, and I do believe I speak for everyone when I say this, we wish you all good luck on your journey.”
“Thank you,” Twilight and Night Star said before the transmission was cut.
“T-minus 30 seconds.”
“Alright everyone, make sure you’re at your stations,” Night Star declared.
The female thestral at the conn addressed Night Star, “Captain, docking clamps have been released and Control has given us the go for launch.
“Acknowledged.” Turning to Twilight, “This is it, the first steps to the stars.”
“T-minus 10 seconds.”
Twilight smiled, looking forward at the front screens. When the countdown reached “0” Night Star gave the order.
“Engage.”